NASHVILLE, Tenn., December 19, 2012 – Corey Lamont Lanier a/k/a Foot, 34, of Nashville, was found guilty yesterday by a federal jury for his role in planning and carrying out three armed home invasion robberies, announced Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee and Carl Vasilko, Acting Special Agent in Charge the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division.

Lanier was convicted on three counts of conspiring to commit Hobbs Act robberies, as well as three counts of brandishing a firearm during these crimes. According to the evidence at trial, Lanier was an OG (Original Gangster) – the highest rank in the 98 Mafia Crips street gang.

These guilty verdicts reinforce our commitment to criminals who commit violence in our communities that they will be held accountable, said U.S. Attorney Jerry E. Martin. For his role as the planner of various home invasions involving deadly weapons, this defendant is now facing decades in prison. The United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to use every available tool to combat gun crimes and crimes of violence – especially when armed thugs endanger children.

Hard prison time is inevitable and on the horizon for Lanier. The streets of Nashville will be a safer place because of the investigation and outcome of today’s trial, said Acting ATF Special Agent–in–Charge Carl Vasilko. When people choose to be involved in violent acts such as home invasions, entangle themselves in drug activity and commit gun crime, the results will be similar in future investigations. ATF, the Metro Nashville Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work steadfast in fighting violent crime and keeping communities safe, added Vasilko.

According to the evidence at trial, Lanier organized and participated in three armed home invasions that occurred in Nashville in 2009. Each home invasion targeted a location or individual suspected by Lanier and his co–conspirators to be involved in narcotics trafficking. On each instance, a group of three to four armed assailants burst into a home and held those present at gunpoint while demanding drugs and drug proceeds. During two of these robberies, young children were present when armed assailants kicked down the door, burst into the home, and threatened to kill the residents inside.

Metropolitan Nashville Police Officers, including Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) officers responded to the third home invasion and arrested the assailants, who had conspired with Lanier to commit the robbery. Multiple firearms used in the home invasions were recovered. Lanier was not present at the scene of that home invasion, and was later arrested and charged with these offenses as a result of the local and federal investigation.

Lanier faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of conspiring to commit a Hobbs Act robbery. He also faces at least 57 years in prison for the firearms offenses, including minimum mandatory sentences of 25 years each in connection with two of these charges. Lanier will be sentenced by Chief Judge William J. Haynes, Jr. at a later date, yet to be determined.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Metropolitan Nashville Police. Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sunny A.M. Koshy and William F. Abely prosecuted the case.

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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives United States Department of Justice